Mike McPherson Promoted to Manager - Therapy Services | |
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We are pleased to announce Mike McPherson, PT, DPT, has accepted the position of Manager for Therapy Services for Aspirus Ironwood effective October 22, 2023. Mike has been with Aspirus since May 2017, working as a staff physical therapist.
In this role, Mike will be responsible for direct oversight of outpatient and inpatient therapy services. He will be responsible for overall service, integrity, quality, patient satisfaction and program development for inpatient and outpatient therapies. Mike is a recent graduate of the Aspirus Emerging Leaders Program. He is passionate about providing the highest level of care to our community.
Mike lives in Ironwood with his wife, Rachelle, and their two children, Madeline and Marie. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family outdoors, running, and cross-country skiing.
Please join us in congratulating Mike on his recent promotion.
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Welcome Carlos Condado, CRNA | |
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Please join us in welcoming Nurse Anesthetist Carlos Condado, CRNA, to Aspirus Iron River Hospital & Clinics effective November 1, 2023.
Carlos earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics/Secondary Education and an Associate degree in Nursing from Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, TX., as well as a Master of Science degree in Nurse Anesthesia from St. Francis School of Nurse Anesthesia in Pittsburgh, PA.
Carlos is a familiar face at Aspirus having worked as a CRNA at Aspirus Langlade Hospital in Antigo, WI, and has participated in several cases at Aspirus Iron River. He has a wide spectrum of experience including cardiovascular, neuro, ENT, general anesthesia, OB, and pediatrics.
Carlos is fluent in Spanish and in his free time he enjoys spending time with his wife, three children and five grandchildren. He enjoys walking, running, biking and being outdoors.
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Aspirus Ironwood Hospital & Clinics is pleased to welcome board-certified Ophthalmologist Sam Kuchinka, MD, to its optical team at Aspirus Eye Center-Ironwood.
Dr. Kuchinka joins Dr. Taylor Douglas in delivering a higher level of optical services for patients of all ages in the Ironwood and surrounding area.
Dr. Kuchinka earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota Institute of Technology and his Medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN. He completed his Ophthalmology residency at Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO.
Dr. Kuchinka specializes in Refractive and Complex Cataract Surgery, PRK, Micro Invasive Glaucoma Surgery, and Oculoplastic Surgery in addition to all aspects of ophthalmology from routine eye exams and treatment of eye diseases to advising patients on optical surgical options.
At the heart of Dr. Kuchinka’s care approach is listening to and partnering with patients to help them achieve their optical goals.
Dr. Kuchinka is excited to add the Aspirus Eye Center-Ironwood as his newest location to care for patients while making a positive difference in the community.
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Aspirus Ironwood Participates in Decon Training | |
Joe Panijan, Environment of Care & Emergency Management Projects Administer, held Decontamination Training last Friday morning at Aspirus Ironwood. Aspirus staff participated in the exercise designed to help employees know how to react should they encounter a contaminated patient or be asked to support activities of the Decon Team. | |
Aspirus Keweenaw Provides Stop-the-Bleed Kits | |
The Aspirus Keweenaw Trauma Department was awarded a grant through the State of Michigan Systems of Care - Trauma System Maintenance and Support Project. This funding is dedicated to supporting trauma stakeholders and initiatives that meet the specific needs of the region, community, agency or facility as they build and support systems for time-sensitive emergencies. With some of the funds awarded, Aspirus Keweenaw purchased Stop-the-Bleed Kits to help make a difference in life-threatening emergencies. Kits were distributed to Laurium Police Department (pictured), Laurium Village Fire Department, Houghton County Sheriff's Department, and Keweenaw County Sheriff's Department, with many other local partners to receive kits in the near future. | |
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Hillary Stites
Registered Nurse
Aspirus Ontonagon
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James Sartorelli
Field Service Tech
Aspirus Iron River
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Nicole Bortolini
Registered nurse
Aspirus Iron River
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Dale Mitchell
Maintenance Mechanic
Aspirus Ironwood
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Wayne Obraski
Cook
Aspirus Ironwood
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Tawny Newland
Medical Receptionist
Aspirus Ironwood
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Sammie Mathews
Registered Nurse
Aspirus Keweenaw
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Danielle Tate
Radiology Assistant
Aspirus Ironwood
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Is it cancer? Breast Health Nurse Navigators can help
(Feature story with the Daily Mining Gazette)
Click here or the image below to read the article.
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Reminder: Email Signature Template | |
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Our email signatures should be consistent throughout the organization.
Please click the appropriate link below to access a Word document containing instructions for updating your email signature in Outlook and a sample signature.
You can directly copy the sample, paste it into Outlook and make the necessary edits to reflect your own information.
Also, please avoid using colored or patterned backgrounds, quotes and images in your email signature.
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International Infection Prevention Week
October 15-21
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Infection Preventionists (IPs) play a crucial role in keeping the public safe and healthy. In addition to fighting a global pandemic, the infection prevention and control community is protecting us from surges in healthcare-associated infections, measles outbreaks, flu season, and so many other day-to-day infectious battles. | |
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Pharmacy Week
October 15-21
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National Pharmacy Week acknowledges the invaluable contributions pharmacists and technicians make to patient care in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and other health care settings. | |
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Pharmacy Technician Day
October 17
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October 17 is National Pharmacy Technician Day. This day is an opportunity to thank technicians for their support and contributions throughout the year. This day is also an opportunity to explore the technician's role and how vital it is to maintain a safe and efficient health system. | |
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Certified Medical Assistant Week
October 16-20
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It's Certified Medical Assistant Week, October 16-20. Medical assistants provide important clinical and administrative support for physicians and other medical professionals by drawing labs, administering vaccinations, taking patients’ vitals and much more. Medical assistants are highly adaptable and able to work with many different patients, providers and specialties. Thank you for all you do! | |
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Healthcare Quality Week
October 15-21
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Healthcare Quality Week takes place October 15-21. Our Quality Services staff play a vital role in delivering care by advancing quality and safety initiatives for our staff and our patients. This week also gives us an opportunity to bring greater awareness to the profession of health care quality. Thank you for all you do! | |
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National Health Education Week
October 16-20
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It's National Health Education Week, October 16-20. National Health Education Week is focused on increasing awareness on health issues and promoting a better understanding of the role of health education.. | |
National Medical Ultrasound Month | |
October is Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month. Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month (MUAM) was established to provide the public with a better understanding of ultrasound and the many uses of this fast-growing technology in health care. It also provides ultrasound professionals a chance to celebrate their profession. | |
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Fitness Tip
Benefits of exercise on mental health
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Exercise is often recommended as a way to maintain physical health, but its benefits go far beyond that. Regular physical activity has been shown to have numerous positive effects on mental health, including reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, improving mood and self-esteem, and reducing stress levels. Below we explore the connection between exercise and mental health and the many benefits of incorporating physical activity into your daily routine.
Reducing Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety
Adding exercise into your daily routine can help to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Research has shown that regular exercise can be just as effective as medication or psychotherapy for treating mild to moderate depression and anxiety disorders. Exercise helps to release feel-good chemicals in the brain such as endorphins, which can help to improve mood and reduce feelings of anxiety.
Improving Mood and Self-Esteem
When we exercise, our bodies release endorphins, which can produce feelings of happiness and euphoria. This can help to improve mood and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Regular exercise can help to improve self-esteem by increasing feelings of self-worth and confidence. Exercise can also help people with ADHD and ADD with mood and energy regulation.
Reducing Stress Levels
Another benefit of exercise on mental health is its ability to reduce stress levels. Exercise can help to reduce the levels of stress hormones such as cortisol in the body, which can lead to a reduction in feelings of stress and anxiety. Additionally, regular exercise can help to improve sleep quality, which can also have a positive impact on mental health.
Improving Cognitive Function
Exercise has also been shown to have a positive impact on cognitive function. Regular physical activity can help to improve memory, attention, and overall cognitive function. Additionally, exercise can help to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia later in life.
Tips for Incorporating Exercise into Your Daily Routine
If you are looking to incorporate exercise into your daily routine, there are a few tips that can help you get started:
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Start small: If you are new to exercise, start with small amounts of physical activity and gradually increase the duration and intensity over time. You can start with a short walk or jog and work your way up to a longer workout.
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Find an activity you enjoy: Exercise doesn’t have to be boring or tedious. Many people dread working out because it can be tedious, but it does not have to be this way! Find an activity you enjoy, such as dancing, swimming, or hiking, and make it a regular part of your routine.
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Make it a habit: Schedule exercise into your daily routine, and make it a non-negotiable part of your day. If you have a busy schedule then find ways to incorporate it into your time off. If you don’t have time to devote an hour to the gym, try finding ways to have short bursts of exercise throughout the day. You can do jumping jacks or squats as you are making breakfast or walk to work a few days a week, park further away or take the stairs over the elevator.
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Get support: Exercise with a friend or join a fitness class to help you stay motivated and accountable. Exercising with a friend is a good way to get started. If you feel a little anxious about working out, doing it with a friend makes it a lot easier and very fun. Friends can also help motivate you to stay on track.
Regular exercise is a powerful tool for improving mental health. By reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, improving mood and self-esteem, reducing stress levels, and improving cognitive function, exercise can have a positive impact on overall well-being. So, make it a priority to incorporate physical activity into your daily routine, and enjoy the many benefits it has to offer.
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You can help our team grow by reviewing your personal and professional networks for prospective team members and refer candidates to our organization.
You could earn a referral bonus of $500 for any new employee that is hired. You can earn a referral bonus of $2500 for any new employee hired into one of the following positions: RNs, EMTs/Paramedics, Med Techs/MLTs, Phlebotomists, CNAs & CMAs, Respiratory Therapists and Surg Techs.
See the Employee Referral Bonus Program policy in PolicyStat for full details and the referral form. Visit aspirus.org/careers to view current career opportunities at Aspirus. If you know someone right for a position, let them know we'd love for them to join our team.
Visit careers.aspirus.org to view current career opportunities at Aspirus. If you know someone right for a position, let them know we'd love for them to join our team.
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Influenza and COVID Safety Programs | |
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Aspirus Health will have two mandatory programs this year to help protect team members and medical staff members from respiratory illness. We are continuing our annual employee Influenza Safety Program for the 2023-2024 flu season, and this will be the first year for our seasonal COVID-19 Safety Program since the Public Health Emergency ended in the spring.
Our goal is to have as many team members as possible vaccinated against both influenza and COVID-19. Vaccination increases your chances of preventing illness, minimizing symptoms, and remaining available for our patients and each other. (Employee Health Influenza & COVID-19 Safety Program intranet page)
Participation in both programs is mandatory for all Aspirus employees and medical staff members. Full program details can be found in the Mandatory Influenza & COVID-19 Vaccination Compliance Policy. Program participation is required by October 31, 2023. For both influenza and COVID-19, participation means either getting vaccinated or completing an electronic declination. Non-compliant employees will be removed from their work schedule and subject to disciplinary action that could include voluntary resignation.
Vaccination clinics are being offered through Aspirus Employee Health & Wellness and vary by location. Our earlier clinics will likely only feature the influenza vaccine until Aspirus receives our supply of the new COVID-19 vaccines in late September or early October. Vaccination clinic offerings may be adjusted accordingly based on supply and demand.
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Don't Forget: Fill Out a Marketing/Communications Request | |
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Do you need help with graphic design, website update, print, intranet, video or communication needs? There is an ONLINE FORM AVAILABLE ON THE INTRANET TO REQUEST SUPPORT FROM MARCOM. This request form should be used to request ANY marketing support.
It is crucial everyone needing Marcom support complete the marketing request form available on the Aspirus intranet. This is the most efficient way for Marcom to prioritize and manage projects and leverage the skills and experience of team members. It also helps ensure Marcom provides you the best possible service.
Look for the Marketing, Communications, Graphic/Print Support link under “Service Requests” within the Work Tools & Resources menu.
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Every day, Aspirus staff do amazing things for our patients, visitors and each other. Here are just a few examples randomly selected from the Rewards & Recognition section on the intranet.
You can recognize employees who go above and beyond by visiting the Rewards & Recognition site.
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Kristen Meske, NP-C
Nurse Practitioner
Aspirus Iron River
We have many emergencies come thru our clinic and everyone always does a great job. Just wanted to recognize the ladies with the patient that walked in with the chainsaw injury down to the bone. Fast moving great teamwork and EMS staff was onsite immediately. Everything went extremely well.
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Stephanie Binz
Team Lead - Medical Assistants
Aspirus Ironwood
Stephanie, your are doing a good job on the Refill request project. It is such a great process that will standardize and improve the information for the providers when patients request refills on their medications.
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Jason Evans
Pharmacist
Aspirus Keweenaw
We recently had several staffing challenges on our AKH pharmacy team. Jason stepped up and was willing to cover extra shifts and complete shifts alone. Jason did this with a positive and energetic attitude. Thank you so much for your positive presence on our team, Jason!
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Ed Polakowski
Supervisor - Maintenance
Aspirus Ontonagon
Ed is so thoughtful...when he and his crew came in for their shift early this morning, they turned on all of the Administration heaters to warm up the offices for us being we have no heat yet. Thank you so much, Ed and crew!!
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The Upper Peninsula Blood Center will be hosting blood drives at the following Aspirus Upper Peninsula locations:
Aspirus Keweenaw
Thursday, December 21 | 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Aspirus Ontonagon (Held at the Eagles Hall)
Wednesday, December 20 | 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Aspirus Iron River
Monday, November 27 | 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Aspirus Ironwood
Wednesday, December 13 | 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
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Baked Brown Sugar Acorn Squash | |
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Ingredients:
- 1 acorn squash
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- Dash kosher salt
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Prep the squash: If you have a microwave, microwave the squash for a minute each, to make it easier to cut. Then stabilize the squash on a cutting board as best you can, stem end down if the stem is short enough, otherwise on the side. Using a sharp, sturdy chef's knife, carefully cut the acorn squash in half, from tip to stem. If on its side, the squash can rock back and forth, so take care as you are cutting it. Use a sturdy metal spoon to scrape out the seeds and stringy bits inside each squash half, until the inside is smooth. Take a sharp paring knife and score the insides of the acorn squash halves in a cross-hatch pattern, about a half-inch deep cuts. Place the squash halves cut side up in a roasting pan. Pour 1/4 inch of water over the bottom of the pan so that the squash doesn't burn or get dried out in the oven.
- Add the butter, salt, brown sugar, and maple syrup: Rub 1/2 tablespoon butter into the insides of each half. Sprinkle with a little salt if you are using unsalted butter. Crumble 1 tablespoon brown sugar into the center of each half and drizzle with 1 teaspoon maple syrup.
- Bake at 400°F for about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes, until the tops of the squash halves are nicely browned and the squash flesh is very soft and cooked through. It's hard to overcook squash, it just gets better with more caramelization. Don't undercook it.
- Remove from the oven, cool a bit, and serve: When done, remove the squash halves from the oven. Spoon any buttery sugar sauce that has not already been absorbed by the squash over the exposed areas. Let cool for a bit before serving.
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Want to Include Something in the Newsletter? | |
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Do you have an announcement, event recap, certification or important news you'd like to include in the Upper Peninsula Regional Newsletter?
Please send it to Regional Communications and Community Engagement Lead, Jenn Jenich Laplander (Jennifer.Jenich-Laplander@aspirus.org) Please provide any items for the newsletter by end-of-day Thursday for use the following week.
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- AIW Masquerade Ball | November 4, 2023
- Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital Auxiliary Nut Sale | November 17
- Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital Auxiliary 1 Day Basket Raffle | October 31
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Northstar Employee Assistance Program | |
Aspirus Health's employee assistance partner offers mental and emotional support services for employees and their families. Click here for information. | |
Chris Harff
President, UP Region
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